Travelers don’t head to Ibiza to spend time indoors. At La Granja Ibiza, the island’s newest boutique hotel, the landscape does not disappoint. Two acres of luxurious Mediterranean gardens (think: citrus, apple, nectarine, fig and almond trees, as well as herbs, berries, and melons) surround the sprawling estate, a converted centuries’-old farmhouse with 10 bedrooms, stone terraces, and an outdoor bar shaded by the boughs of a carob tree:
Photography courtesy of Design Hotels.
Above: Garden designer Andy Szymanowicz oversees productive edible gardens where nearly three dozen varieties of fruits and vegetables—including lettuces, eggplants, tomatoes, and squash—find their way onto the chef’s daily menus.
Garden plots with signs and labels encourage guests to wander among the product—and lure them to sign up for workshops to learn about biodynamic growing practices.
Above: The swimming pool dates to the era when the old farmhouse was a private residence.
Above: Mindful of the low-water climate, Szymanowicz designed a drought-tolerant garden irrigated with captured rainwater. Tiered terraces direct the flow of water to the roots of plants that need it most.
Above: Shaded by a carob tree, La Granja Ibiza’s bar serves organic wines (in addition to mezcal, and other spirits).
Above: A two-bedroom guesthouse can accommodeate up to five people, with two bathrooms (with shower), a daybed in a lounge, and a private garden overlooking the farm.
Above: In partnership with Design Hotels, which owns a string of boutique hotels, community group Friends of a Farmer sponsors workshops and retreats for members (dues are included in the €350 room rate).
Above: Rustic materials such as stone pavers and walls and reclaimed wood furniture can withstand the elements.
Above: Bamboo pergolas shade terraces from strong mid-day sun.
Above: Lavender and other drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants thrive in beds beside stone retaining walls.
Above: Says garden designer Szymanowicz: ‘’This project spoke to me on so many levels. I could draw on my experience working in Southern California where the conditions are similar, but at the same time it presented a new set of challenges. Easing the old farm back to life and returning the soil quality was paramount, but had to be done with a gentle approach.”
Above: Simple storage. Garden tools hang on the exterior wall of a shed.
Above: See the hotel’s interiors on Remodelista today. For reservations, see La Granja Ibiza.
Island hopping? See our Hike of the Week: Camino de Cavalls, in Menorca.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation